There’s a new drink appearing in pubs across Britain this Christmas, and it’s got the beer world absolutely divided.
Some are calling it genius. Others reckon it’s borderline sacrilege. A few publicans are refusing to serve it on principle, whilst others can’t pour them fast enough to keep up with demand.
It involves Guinness – but not as you know it.
The Rumours Started Online
A few weeks back, photos started circulating on social media. Pints that looked like Guinness, served in Guinness glasses, with that iconic two-stage pour… but something was different. The conversations in the comments were fierce. Accusations of “ruining a classic” sat alongside defences of “finally, someone gets it.”
Nobody could quite agree on whether this was innovation or vandalism.
The debate got heated enough that Guinness themselves had to weigh in, confirming that yes, this is actually happening in their pubs, and no, they haven’t lost the plot entirely.
So What Actually Is It?
The mysterious creation causing all this fuss is called the Guinness 60/40.
Here’s what’s actually in your glass: 60% original Guinness stout mixed with 40% Guinness 0.0 (their alcohol-free version). The result? A pint that sits at roughly 1.7% ABV instead of the standard 4.2%.
The serve itself maintains tradition where it counts. Guinness 0.0 goes in first, followed by the original stout, all delivered with that familiar two-stage pour that Guinness drinkers know and love. To look at it, you’d struggle to tell it apart from a regular pint.
But to taste it? Well, that’s where opinions diverge quite spectacularly.
Why Would Anyone Do This?
Fair question. If you want a Guinness, why not just have a Guinness? And if you don’t want the alcohol, why not go full 0.0?
The answer lies somewhere in the middle ground that’s increasingly important to modern drinkers. Not every occasion calls for full-strength beer, but sometimes you still want the ritual, the flavour, and the experience of a proper pint.
Maybe you’re driving home later. Maybe you’ve got an early start tomorrow. Maybe you’re pacing yourself through a long Christmas session and don’t fancy waking up with a head like a bag of spanners.
The 60/40 isn’t trying to replace anything – it’s offering a third option that didn’t really exist before.
The Purists Are Not Happy
The criticism has been pretty vocal. Social media threads are full of arguments that Guinness is perfect as it is, and messing with the formula – even optionally – feels like a step too far.
The argument goes: Guinness is an institution. It’s been perfected over centuries. If you’re going to have one, have a proper one. Otherwise, have something else entirely.
Fair point, really. There’s something to be said for not fixing what isn’t broken.
But There’s Another Side to This
On the flip side, plenty of people reckon this is absolutely brilliant.
The ability to enjoy that distinctive Guinness flavour profile without committing to a full-strength session appeals to a lot of drinkers who might otherwise skip the pint entirely. It’s not about compromising – it’s about having options that suit different situations.
Beer culture is evolving whether we like it or not. The days when your only non-alcoholic choice was a soft drink are long gone, and breweries who embrace that shift deserve credit for innovation rather than criticism.
Besides, nobody’s forcing anyone to order it. If you want a full-strength Guinness, you can still have one. The 60/40 isn’t replacing anything – it’s just adding to the options.
Part of Something Bigger
The 60/40 isn’t appearing in isolation. It’s part of a broader trend that’s been building for years, particularly amongst younger drinkers who are increasingly reaching for “no and low” alcohol options.
We’re seeing brilliant alcohol-free and low-alcohol beers that actually taste like beer. Breweries are investing serious resources into crafting these alternatives, and consumers are responding with their wallets.
The statistics back it up too. No and low alcohol beer sales have been climbing steadily, with some analysts predicting they’ll make up a significant chunk of the market within the next decade.
Whether you love it or hate it, the 60/40 is Guinness acknowledging that shift and positioning themselves within it. That’s smart business, even if it does wind up the traditionalists.
Our Take on the Whole Thing
Here at Love Beer, we reckon there’s room for it all.
Some of our favourite sessions have involved proper cask ales at full strength, enjoyed slowly with good company. Others have been perfect precisely because we could pace ourselves with something lighter whilst still enjoying brilliant beer.
What we won’t compromise on is quality. Whether it’s 0% or 12%, if it’s going in a glass, it needs to taste brilliant. From what we’re hearing, the 60/40 maintains enough of that signature Guinness character to satisfy most people who try it with an open mind.
The beauty of modern beer culture is choice. The occasion dictates the drink, not the other way round.
So, Have You Tried It?
We’d love to hear from the Love Beer community on this one. Have you spotted the 60/40 in your local? Given it a go? Or are you firmly in the “leave Guinness alone” camp?
More importantly, how do you navigate sessions when you want great beer but need to take it easy? Do you rotate between full-strength and lower-ABV options? Stick to halves? Or have you found brilliant low-alcohol alternatives that scratch the beer itch without the fuzzy head?
After all, whether it’s 60/40, 50/50, or 100% of anything, what matters most is that it’s quality beer shared with good people.